GBP 235 M Contracts Propel Aircraft Carrier Project Forward

(October 6, 2008) -- The Royal Navy's two new aircraft carriers will be powered by the latest electric propulsion technology, it was announced today.

Worth a total of GBP235 million, contracts have been placed for gas turbines, generators, motors, power distribution equipment, platform management systems, propellers, shafts, steering gear, rudders and stabilisers. Simultaneously, the key industrial suppliers have formed an Alliance to ensure that the equipment is integrated into the ships in the most cost effective manner.

Defence Equipment and Support Director General Ships Rear Admiral Bob Love said:

"The new carriers represent a series of firsts for the Fleet and this latest propulsion technology has not yet been seen in the Royal Navy on this scale. This is a step change in the way our ships are powered and, as well as boosting capacity, will significantly improve fuel efficiency enabling uninterrupted long distance deployments and reducing running costs."

Each carrier will have two propellers powered by two electric motors making them the largest warships in the world to use electric rather than mechanical drive technology. The motors allow the gas turbine driven generators that power them to be located high in the ship, freeing valuable space in the hull and providing greater resilience to battle damage.

Two state of the art gas turbines producing 70 mega watts (MW) of power for each ship will be built in Bristol, and will be coupled to generators to be built in Rugby. Combined with the diesel engines already on order, they will supply the 109 MW of electricity each carrier needs to move through the water at speeds sufficient for launch and recovery of aircraft and to power services such as lighting, cooking and heating; that's enough energy to supply a town the size of Swindon.

Source : UK MoD

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